DMG Newsletter for April 6th, 2018

The more I listen to Creative MusicThe more I believe that this is The Universal Language which crosses all borders and barriersA young musician from China named Lao Dan came to Visit DMG last weekHe spoke no English but communicated by pointing to names on his phoneOf musicians and composers that he was interested in I played him some challenging music which he dug and purchasedWe bonded since we both recognized what we enjoyed about this musicLast Saturday (3/31/18), I caught Mr. Dan with Theresa Wong & John McCowan At the New Stone, the set was splendid, with three new musicians to check outWorking at DMG, we often meet kindred spirits searching for music That we need to help us get by and inspire us… So come on down and join us or read the newsletter and check out some New Music from…

DMG is located at 13 Monroe St. (between Catherine & Market Sts) in a basement below a small gallery. Take the F train to East Broadway or the 6 train to Canal or the B or D to Grand, or the M-15 bus to Madison & Catherine. Come on Down, the Sunday Music Series is Always Free & the Vibes are Always Cosy

*******A Couple of Important Announcements:

MARY HALVOSON’S New ‘Code Girl’ CD which we listed in last week’s newsletter has been delayed once again do to a printing error. If you have already gotten a copy from somewhere else, the copy you have is the one with the mistake. Please be patient, we hope to get the correct version in sometime next week. - BLG

We listed a half dozen discs from the SHIIN label from France a couple of weeks ago which feature the music of ELAINE RADIGUE, CHARLEMAGNE PALESTINE, LUC FERRARI and IVAN WYSCHNEGRADSKY. We quickly sold out of the first batch and will have our second batch sometime next month in May. All current orders for these discs will be fulfilled then plus we will be getting in another disc from Elaine Radigue called, ‘Naldjorlak Pour Charles Curtis’, which is soon to be reissued. Do not fret, you will all get your copies! - BLG

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BILL DIXON - Odyssey (Archive Edition 51019251; USA) 2001 release. Odyssey is the definitive compendium of solo trumpet music by Bill Dixon, as compiled by the artist. Dixon (1925-2010) was known primarily for his small and large ensemble masterpieces of the decades between Intents and Purposes (1967) and Tapestries (2009). While he appeared infrequently in solo performances, he was continually evolving in studio through these years a remarkably nuanced and powerful solo music -- especially during the mid-1970s, as a counterpart to daily work with student orchestras on large ensemble pieces. Small offerings of these solo gems were published relatively obscurely in the early 1980s in Italy, and a larger batch were hand selected by the composer for a two-LP collection in 1985. In 2000, Dixon gathered into Odyssey the entirety of his oeuvre for solo trumpet, adding more than two hours of further solo pieces, and a small number of additional duet recordings. The tracks were selected and sequenced by Mr. Dixon, who curated the entire project for release on his own label, Archive Edition. Veteran engineer Kevin Reeves (Capitol, Universal; Grammy-nominated for Revenant (2015) work) mastered from original tapes exclusively, deriving unprecedented clarity on these exquisite recordings. The set spans five CDs of trumpet solos and one full disc of Dixon's enigmatic spoken commentary for the project. Two printed folios are also in the box: In one are further emphatic annotations by Dixon ensemble veterans Stephen Horenstein and Jason Zappa, and historian Ben Young; and the Dixon interview with journalist Graham Taylor-Lock. A second full-color folio Works on Paper reproduces 13 of Dixon's stunning ink and acrylic visual creations, mostly from the late 1990s, and unpublished prior to this set. Recordings span 1970-92, made primarily in Dixon's studio In Bennington, Vermont, with earlier examples from New York, and a later solo performance from Israel. Also included are Dixon's only released works for solo piano, the full set of "Relay" duets for his own piano and trumpet, an excerpt of the 1971 magnum opus "Summerdance", featuring drummers Laurence Cook and David Moss, and one preferred example of the duets with keyboardist Leslie Winston. Odyssey was released in 2001 - assembled on the highest artistic level, according to Bill Dixon's production standards. It also has been subject to DIY distribution since that time, so in many ways this 2018 re-launch will be a first hearing for many.6 CD Box Set $90

JOE LOVANO & DAVE DOUGLAS SOUND PRINTS With LAWRENCE FIELDS / LINDA MAY HAN OH / JOEY BARON - Scandal (Greenleaf 1063; USA) Personnel: Joe Lovano on tenor & mezzo-soprano saxes, Dave Douglas on trumpet, Lawrence Fields on piano, Linda May Han Oh on bass and Joey Baron on drums. This is the second disc from the Sound Prints quintet, the first was a live date and this is their studio debut. Both Sound Prints CD’s were inspired by the music and creative spirit of legendary saxist & composer Wayne Shorter. This new disc contains two covers by Wayne Shorter plus originals by the tow co-leaders: Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas. Mr. Douglas has organized a formidable quintet which includes his occasional partner, saxist Joe Lovano, ongoing (Douglas projects) bassist Linda Oh and fellow Masada member Joey Baron on drums. The only name here that I wasn’t quite familiar with is pianist Lawrence Fields (St. Louis native), who has recorded with New Orleans clarinetist Alvin Batiste, Jeff Tain Watts and Terri Lyne Carrington. Starting with Mr. Douglas’ “Dream State”, there is something uplifting, buoyant and yes, perhaps dream-like going on here. Mr. Lovano and Mr. Douglas play especially well together, the balance between that rich, melodic shine and the elegant way that the frontline floats together is quite magical. Although each member of this all-star quintet is integral to their sound, it is often drum great Joey Baron who provides that luxurious swinging and creative sparks underneath. The quintet do a marvelous version of Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum” (from the ‘All Seeing Eye’, 1964), turning the inner flame down a bit with tasty solos from the tenor and trumpet. The quintet take Shorter’s “Juju” and stretch it out, starting out sparsely, slowly wit some haunting horns from both the tenor and trumpet. The rhythm team here seem to spin soft yet restless web throughout weaving waves around the horns in a most organic way. One the things that makes this disc so swell is the way Mr. Lovano and Mr. Douglas solo and play together. Both men have superb, warm and often expressive tones on their respective horns, carefully caressing and often erupting notes majestically. Having not heard of pianist Lawrence Fields before this, he is also in fine form through. Although the title of this disc is called ’Scandal’ and indeed tree are fate too many scandals going on nowadays, I found the essence of this disc to be inspiring, the creative energy and the way those fine folks play together helps to make our days go better. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG CD $14

BILL FRISELL - Music IS (Okeh 90758 15002; USA) Featuring Bill Frisell on electric & acoustic guitars, loops, bass, ukelele & music boxes. Around 1993, three members of Naked City moved out of NY, thus putting an end to NY’s finest Downtown quintet. Bill Frisell and Wayne Horvitz moved to the Seattle area, while Fred Frith moved to Germany and soon to Oakland, CA to teach at Mills College. After playing jazz/rock/punk/noise guitar in Naked City (1987-1993), Mr. Frisell’s playing evolved even further when he moved, calming down and embracing all sorts of Americana and ethnic influences. After 25 years and nearly as many records as a leader, Mr. Frisell has recently returned to NY to live and has been making up for lost time by playing as many gigs as possible: The Stone, Village Vanguard and Lincoln Center. I must admit that I haven’t often appreciated the work of producer/adviser Lee Townsend, who seemed to have taken way some of the edge that Mr. Zorn provided when he and Frisell worked together more closely and more often. Mr. Townsend is the producer for this disc which was also engineered by Tucker Martine, someone I do admire greatly for his careful, atmospheric work with singers like Robin Holcomb and Jesse Sykes. One of the projects that Mr. Frisell has been working on in the last few years is playing solo concerts, doing a six night residency at The Stone in the past year. I’ve caught a couple of these sets and was knocked out by what I heard. For this disc, Mr. Frisell plays fifteen songs, all originals and taken from different discs across his long career. Hence this disc is a retrospective of sorts, stretching back to the title tracks of his first two albums on ECM, “In Line” and “Rambler”. Starting with, “Pretty Stars”, creates a warm, elegant vibe with two exquisite guitar parts, layered gracefully together. Mr. Frisell has a way of stripping songs down to their bare essentials, creating a magical, skeletal version in which each notes rings true with subtle, lush reverb added to make things more spacious and hypnotic. On each piece, Mr. Frissel appears to altering the tone of his guitar with different devices, often very subtle, yet evoking a variety sounds, moods or vibes. One of the several highlights here is his version of “Ron Carter”, that slow repeating line creates immense suspense while Frisell adds these ghost-like fragments, like opening doors in a haunted house. The melody of “In Line” sounds like a sea shanty with Frisell adding select bits of psychedelic sustain to toss us back into the ancient past, if just for a moment or two. Each piece here is like a scene from a film or a short story unfolding. As I gaze out my kitchen window, I see the trees below swaying in the breeze, Spring is coming soon. Bill Frisell is a master at creating music that evokes nature’s grand eloquence. Mmmmmmmm, yummy. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG CD $15

Bill Frisell will be playing in a quartet (2 drums & 2 guitars) led by Tomas Fujiwara with Mary Halvorson & Kendrick Scott at The Stone on Friday, April 13th at 8:30

SATOKO FUJII ORCHESTRA BERLIN - Ninety-Nine Years (Libra 211-047; Japan) Orchestra Berlin features Gebhard Ullmann, Matthias Schubert & Paulina Owczarek on saxes; Natsuki Tamura, Richard Koch & Lina Allemano on trumpets; Matthias Muller on trombone, Satoko Fujii on piano, Jan Roder on bass and Michael Griener & Peter Orins on drums. The ever-prolific pianist & composer, Satoko Fujii, has upped the ante this year with 1 CD per month for the year, in celebration of her 60th birthday, a big deal in Japan. Besides dozen of discs of solos, duos, trios, quartet and larger, Ms. Fujii leads several large ensembles, in New York & Berlin & several in Japan. This is the second disc from Ms. Fujii’s Orchestra Berlin, where she and Natsuki had lived for a few years more recently. You should certainly recognize a few of these names from the German creative music scene: Gebhard Ullmann, Matthias Schubert & Peter Orins from Kaze. After perhaps a dozen disc of her large ensemble music, Ms. Fujii, has learned to to harness and direct the many musicians she works with. “Unexpected Incident” begins quietly and soon erupts with some intense, tight waves of horns and rhythm team. A number of incredible solos take place: trombonist Matthias Muller (who played at DMG last year) is on fire with the first high-flying solo. Another great solo soon comes from bassist Jan Roder, who we know from his work with Rudy Mahall & Ulrich Gumpert. Even when the band calms down, there is always some fascinating interaction going on between the well-crafted written sections. Both drummers are veterans of numerous sessions/bands and work well together a creating an undertow of different currents. Often when one person solos, there is a cushion of restrained interaction going on beneath them. I really dig the humorously titled piece, “Oops!”, which is tight yet explosive with some smoking bent-note tenor sax testifying on top of the solemn refrain of throbbing waves. If you are lucky or hip enough to have heard either album by Manfred Mann Chapter Three, his avant-jazz big band, then you know how well a jazz/rock large unit can excel without a pigeonhole to limit them, expectation-wise. A word to the wise: this is the fourth of twelve CDs that Ms. Fujii will release this year (2018), each previous one this year are consistently strong and spirited. I urge you to check out as many of this batch as possible. Satoko Fujii is on a roll, a tidal wave of great music. Get on board now..! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG CD $16

SATOKO FUJJI With NATSUKI TAMURA / ALISTER SPENCE / ITTETSU TAKEMURA // KIRA KIRA — Bright Force (Libra 204-048; Japan) Kira Kira is Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Alister Spence on Fender Rhodes electric piano, pedals & preparations, Satoko Fujii on piano and Ittetsu Takemura on drums. A few years back I reviewed a fine disc from of piano duos with Myra Melford and someone known as Alister Spence from Australia. It was/is a splendid duo, but I hadn’t heard of Mr. Spence before this. The ever-prolific, Satoko Fujii, has worked with other pianists in the past like Paul Bley and Myra Melford. I hadn’t heard of the drummer here, Ittetsu Nakemura, before this disc arrived, According to the liner notes, Ms. Fujii, spends all of her times working on her music, composing, playing, organizing concerts & performances and running numerous bands simultaneously around the worl plus producing three to six discs a year. This year, for her 60th birthday, Ms Fujii plans on releasing one disc a month for the year - a dozen different gems. ‘Bright Force’ is the fourth one and unlike anything previously. The first piece is called “Because of the Sun” and was written by Mr. Spence. While the acoustic piano, trumpet and drums spin quickly together, Mr. Spence plays an unexpected counterpoint with his electric piano & effects. With no other instrument in the frontline, Mr. Tamura, Ms. Fujii’s longtime partner, gets to shine: soaring above and whipping out cascade of notes at times. Drummer Takemura, turns out to be extraordinary, taking a short solo on the first two long pieces which wouldn’t out of place on a great prog/jazz/rock epic of yesteryear. Mr. Spence takes his own inspired, twisted electric piano solo on the second piece, “Nat 4”. It is pretty nowadays to hear anyone experimenting on an ancient electric piano but this is what we have here. The third piece on this disc is a three-part suite called, “Luna Lungfish”. This suite is pretty long (35 minutes) and was written by Ms. Fujii. ‘Part 1’ is long, spacious and sounds freely improvised. Eventually the quartet kick into a dark, throbbing, prog rocker, sort of… Ms. Fujii and Mr. Spence sound completely different on acoustic and electric piano, yet their playing is tightly woven due to some strong, tight arrangements. Mr. Nakemura takes another incredible, long and fascinating drum solo. Hard to believe that I hadn’t heard of this drummer before now. There is a long stretch of spacey, atmospheric sounds, filled with suspense and ghost-like spirits. CD $16

JAMES BRANDON LEWIS / CHAD TAYLOR - Radiant Imprints (Broken Silence 038; USA) Featuring James Brandon Lewis on tenor sax and Chad Taylor on drums & mbira. Since moving here from Buffalo half dozen years ago, saxist James Brandon Lewis, has constantly grown and evolved. This is his fourth disc as a leader since moving to NYC, each previous disc very different from anything he has done in the past. His debut disc on Okeh/Columbia featured two elder masters: William Parker & Gerald Cleaver. Next it was a funkier band with Jamaaladeen Tacuma & Rudy Royston (also on Okeh). For the last one, ’No Filter’, he organized yet another great young rhythm team: Luke Stewart & Warren G. Crudup plus prog guitarist Anthony Pirog. That band fused free/jazz with funk/rock and progressive tendencies. Which brings us to the new one: a duo with the amazing Chad Taylor on drums. The main inspiration for this session is legendary/influential saxist John Coltrane. Although it seems obvious that Mr. Lewis was greatly influenced by Trane in the past, it wasn’t as obvious as it is here where this duo cover four of Mr. Coltrane’s songs. What makes this disc even more special is the playing of Chad Taylor, one of the most consistently inspired and creative of the dozens of drummers who have found their way to New York over the past decade. No matter who Mr. Taylor works with, he does a marvelous job: Marc Ribot, Yoni Kretzmer and Jeff Parker. Commencing with “Twenty Four”, which was inspired by Trane. Mr. Taylor’s mighty, propulsive drums kicks things off and stay tight with the equally powerful tenor playing by Mr. Lewis. Lewis’ strong and probing tenor are the center of “Loved One”, even slowed down, the tenor’s tone is gripping. Mr. Taylor’s ritualistic, repeating mbira (thumb piano) line kick off “With Sorrow Lonnie”, a somber, haunting and most hypnotic song. The is long, laid back and consistently mesmerizing. On ”Radiance”, Mr. Lewis swings back and forth between a single long note and a thematic line, over and over, the duo spinning a hypnotic web around each other and those who are listening. This disc is one of the warmest and most spiritual sounding of anything I’ve heard in recent memory. This medicine is superb salve for troubled times. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG CD $14

DJANGO BATES’ BELOVED With PETTER ELDH / PETER BRUUN - The Study of Touch (ECM 2534; Germany) ”British pianist Django Bates returns to ECM with one of his very finest constellations, the trio Belovèd, with Swedish bassist Petter Eldh and Danish drummer Peter Bruun, and an aptly named album, The Study of Touch. All three musicians are highly individual players, subtly challenging the conventions of the jazz piano trio. The group came together a decade ago when Bates was teaching at Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory. The shared work has included inspired reconstructions of pieces associated with Charlie Parker – a formative influence for both Bates and bassist Eldh - and in this new album, Parker’s tune “Passport” is set amid Django originals, and played with respect, contemporary sensibility and joy. Some of Django’s own tunes here – such as “Senza Bitterness”, “Sadness All The Way Down” and “We Are Not Lost, We Are Simply Finding Our Way” have become core pieces in Belovèd’s repertoire, continually remodeled by this trio of improvisers. Bates’ composing and arranging skills are much in evidence, along with his freewheeling, free-flowing virtuosic melodic sense. The terse, percussive edge of Petter Eldh’s bass provides momentum and drummer Peter Bruun details the music with an almost painterly touch. In the crowded world of the piano trio, Belovèd has developed a sound all its own.”CD $18

MICHAEL MANTLER / HIMIKO PAGANOTTI // MAX BRAND ENSEMBLE - Comment C’est / How It Is (ECM 2537; Germany) Declaring that he is “no longer able to ignore overwhelming and outrageous recent world events”, trumpeter and composer Michael Mantler leaves the world of abstract music behind to tackle a host of contemporary evils head-on. His texts for Comment c’est, sung by French-born singer Himiko Paganotti, respond to what he calls “the all-pervading environment of hatred, greed and corruption.” Comment c'est “refers specifically and reacts strongly to recent events and concerns itself with a range of deadly serious subjects, such as war, terrorism, hostages, migration, poverty, fear and the exceedingly sorry state of the world in general.”CD $18

KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN - Kurzwellen [1989](Mode Records 302; USA) The performers in Kurzwellen react to the completely unforeseeable events which they receive on short-wave radios while performing on their instruments. But this is not improvisation. Stockhausen’s score instructs them how to transform what they hear: how they imitate and modulate it, make it longer or shorter, how to rhythmically articulate it, higher or lower, louder or softer, darker or more playful. Whether they should play and as solo, duo, trio or quartet, etc. Though not so familiar now, at the time short-wave radios made it possible to listen to live radio stations from all over the world. The transmission was not always clean, but disturbed by noises and interferences. Moving from one station to another one could hear Morse-code signals, amateur radio communications and all kind of electronic sounds and noises. Stockhausen wanted this sound world to be part of “Kurzwellen”. This new version, premiered at the Stockhausen Summer Course in Kürten on August 10th 2011, is a kind of updating of Stockhausen’s one of the 1960s. It is the first version using computers and multiple live electronic performers. Instead of Stockhausen as sound projectionist doing all live electronics himself, in this version there are four pairs of musicians and electro-acousticians. This updated version of Kurzwellen by C.L.S.I. (directed by Gerard Pape) brings Kurzwellen into the 21st century — visionary music as exciting and fresh as ever! Premier of the new performing version by C.L.S.I. for 4 instruments, 4 shortwave radios, 6 computers, and conductor. The Circle for the Liberation of Sound and Image Ensemble features: Jacqueline Mefano - piano, Lissa Meridan - shortwave radio, filtering & ring modulation, Michael Kinney - synthesizer & live electronics; Martin Phelps - shortwave radio and live electronics, Olga Krashenko, - viola, Gerard Pape - shortwave radio, filtering & ring modulation, Stefan Tiedje - Tibetan bowls & live electronics, Rodolphe Bourotte - shortwave radio & live electronics, with Paul Mefano - conductor.CD $15

New from the Erstwhile and Gravity Wave labels - In stock shortly, review next week:

SUN RA TRIO With HAYES BURNETT / SAMARAI CELESTIAL - God is More Than Love Can Ever Be (Cosmic Myth 003; USA) The album was recorded in one day at New York’s Variety Studios in 1979; aside from a second piano overdubbing on ‘Days Of Happiness’, no changes were made to the original music. Released in small press runs on Sun Ra’s private label El Saturn Records, its five tracks never reappeared elsewhere in his discography. GIMTLCEB’s vinyl reissue includes liner notes by jazz historian Marc Medwin and Sun Ra catalog administrator Irwin Chusid, as well as previously unpublished photos of Sun Ra by jazz portraitist Veryl Oakland.CD $14 LP $20

ORNETTE COLEMAN TRIO With DAVID IZENZON / CHARLES MOFFETT - Live Manchester Free Trade Hall 1966 (Hi Hat 3098; UK) Ornette Coleman Trio, live at the Manchester Free Trade Hall on May 14th, 1966. Ornette Coleman formed a new trio with bassist David Izenzon and drummer Charles Moffett in October 1961. As the decade progressed, they expanded their musical palette to include trumpet and violin -- not instruments Coleman was experienced on - and divided audiences and critics with their fiercely uncompromising music. Originally broadcast on FM radio during a short British tour, this remarkable set finds them on typically confrontational form. Digitally remasters, the broadcast is presented here with background notes and images.2 CD Set $24

CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET With KEITH JARRETT / CECIL McBEE / JACK DeJOHNETTE - Live... 1966 (Hi Hat 3108; UK) Charles Lloyd Quartet, live in 1966. Having burst onto the national scene with Chico Hamilton's band in 1960, Memphis-born Charles Lloyd spent two years with Cannonball Adderley before forming his own quartet in 1965, featuring the young Keith Jarrett, Cecil McBee, and Jack DeJohnette. By turns melodic and dissonant, the relentlessly experimental and innovative music they made is typified on these three superb sets, originally broadcast on P2 and WDR3 radio, and presented here together with background notes and images. Features Orchestra Kurt Edelhagen.2 CD Set $24

MICHAEL CHAPMAN - Live VPRO 1971 (Blast First Petite PTYT 087; UK) For a self-confessed "journeyman" musician who has spent most of his 50-year career on the road live, Michael Chapman albums are curiously rare items and it's even harder to find one his earlier years. This one, recorded by Dutch "hippie" station "VPRO" in May 1971 is the earliest known live recording so far discovered of Michael Chapman after he started releasing records on the legendary Harvest label in 1969. This period is for Chapman fans of the classic period. A beautiful clear, warm and intimate recording of Chapman duetting with long-time collaborator Rick Kemp on electric bass of which documents material from all three albums in a free-flowing improv-inflected style. It is with this free-flowing vibe in mind that Blast First Petite have included the complete 90-minute concert via a download code so listeners can experience the whole set. Chapman sounds in a confident, gentle, and relaxed mood. The audience is initially tentative, possibly unfamiliar with Chapman's work but they gradually warm up to his complex, dexterous, "not folk" playing. The recordings make for a fascinating snapshot of the time, with a loose and open approach that offers a rare chance for guitar buffs to eavesdrop between songs on some those bespoke Chapman guitar tunings.CD $16 / LP $26

Italian guitarist Alberto Cavenati recently came to visit the store and left us with four CDs from the Trouble in the East label. We have just 3 copies of each but hope to have Mr. Cavenati send more when need be. The price might go up due to the cost of shipping…

REICH DURCH JAZZ - self-titled (Trouble in the East 003; Germany) Featuring Rudi Mahal on clarinet, Gerhard Gschlobl on trombone, Johannes Fink on cello, Jan Roder on bass and Michael Griener on drums. Most often known for playing bass clarinet, Rudi Mahall, is one of the most prolific European musicians in the past decade or so… playing in Die Enttauschung (with Jan Roder), as well as working with Alex Von Schlippenbach and Aki Takase. All five members can be found on dozens of discs on these labels: JazzWerkStatt, Clean Feed and Intakt. Each of the fourteen songs here are originals by four of the five members of the quintet. Starting with the title track, written by Mr. Mahall, there is a playful quality going on here with some laid back interplay from the frontline of clarinet, trombone and cello. This reminds me of sly, infectious humor that has long been an integral ingredient in the ICP Orchestra. On each piece, the quintet explore of variety of styles, many not very avant you always creatively arranged and played. By midway, things get somewhat more adventurous and we get some unexpected twists and turns. What I like about this is that the music is most modest, carefully arranged without ever going too far out yet there is a certain quirkiness that feels free of darker impulses of modern times. - BLG/DMG CD $14

GERHARD GSCHLOESSL/ ALBERTO CAVENATI / SUNK POSCHL - Bitte! (Trouble in the East 001; Germany) Featuring Gerhard Gschloessl on trombone & sousaphone, Alberto Cavenati on guitars and Sunk Poschl on drums & percussion. Italian guitarist Alberto Cavenati recently left us with a half dozen discs from the Trouble in the East label, run by German trombonist Gerhard Gschloessl. Thanks to the JazzWerkStatt & El Gallo Rojo labels, we’ve been introduced to this fine trombone player. The other two members of this trio are new names for me. This session was recorded in a Berlin studio in September of 2014 and appears to be an all improvised affair. Although this disc starts off quietly, by the second piece, the trio erupts: intense, free and filled with frantic interplay. On each piece the trio find a way of weaving their lines together, the interaction moves from tight to loose to explosive to contemplative, blurring any lines that keep it from staying in any one place for very long. This is high end improv at it best so dig in now! - BLG/DMG CD $14

TILTH With OTIS SANDSJO / ALBERTO CAVENATI / TILO WEBER - Zou No Jouro (Trouble in the East 004; Germany) Featuring Otis Sandsjo on tenor sax, Alberto Cavenati on electric guitar and Tilo Weber on drums. Italian guitarist Alberto Cavenati just left us with a half dozen discs from the Trouble in the East label, which is run by German trombonist Gerhard Gschloessl. I hadn’t heard any member of this trio before getting this disc. It sounds as if the trio are getting to know each other better as the disc unfolds. Although it appears to be an all improvised affair, there are some shrew sounding, intricate moments which occur and sound directed. What I find interesting here is that as with many improvised sessions, we never know which direction they will take. Hence there are a number of unexpected twists and turns, song fragments which appear out of nowhere, bring the trio to another surprising place. I got to do some more close listening to hear everything that goes on here. - BLG/DMG CD $14

MARC SCHMOLLING / GERHARD GSCHLOESSL - Madness & Arrogance (Trouble in the East 006; Germany) Featuring Marc Schmolling on Fender Rhodes & Wurlitzer pianos and Gerhard Gschloessl on trombone & sousaphone (tuba-like instrument usually found in marching bands). We recently got in six discs from the Trouble in the East label, run by German trombonist Gerhard Schloessl. You might recognize Mr. Schloessl’s name from the dozen disc he appears on the JazzWerkStatt and El Gallo Rojo labels. It turns that keyboardist Marc Schmolling also has a disc out as a leader on the JazzWerkStatt label as well. This disc was recorded in a studio in Berlin in April of 2017. Both the electric piano(s) and trombone have a similar, warm, round sound and work together quite well. On each piece, the duo work with a different vibe or terrain, taking their time to exchange lines, building things up in layers. Mr. Schmolling’s electric piano often creates some Sun Ra-like suspense, spacious and dream-like. It takes w hill before the duo start to simmer and then boil and soar together. CD $14

KEVIN DRUMM - Inexplicable Hours (Sonoris 003; France) Inexplicable Hours is the sequel of the successful six-CD box set Elapsed Time, also released by Sonoris in 2017 (SNS 013CD). The material on the first LP of Inexplicable Hours documents a new direction in his music, with some of his last electroacoustic experimentations with audio generators, field recordings, and various electronic devices. The material on the second LP explores the same ambient/drone territories as the boxset, but there is less static and it is more complex than it appears on the first listen. And as always with recent Kevin Drumm's music there's a sense of majesty, of mystery and a melancholic beauty that is uniquely his own. Some words about the boxset are also appropriate for this record: "Despite Drumm's noisy reputation, his music can be overwhelmingly sensual even at its loudest, providing a form of minimalism replete with a delicate, melancholic motion. How wildly divergent emotions rise, hover, and fall using so little is a mystery that only Kevin Drumm can provide." Mastering by Giuseppe Ielasi. CD version comes in cardboard cover. Acclaim for Elapsed Time (2017): "The vast array of styles and works to be had here makes it an engaging challenge, one that can differ widely from disc to disc, but never lacks the cohesion and touch of a master craftsman and composer working at the top of his game." --Brainwashed "These pieces, despite their length, are like perfect miniatures, timeless puzzles that you try and unravel through close listening. And their sense of place, of home, of sanctuary, feels more important than ever right now." - The WireCD $14

RAGNAR JOHNSON AND JESSICA MAYER - Music From Yemen Arabia: Sanaani, Laheji, Adeni And Samar (Sub Rosa 438; Belgium) Sub Rosa present Music From Yemen Arabia: Sanaani, Laheji, Adeni And Samar a reissue of both Music From Yemen Arabia: Samar and Music From Yemen Arabia: Sanaani, Laheji, Adeni, recorded by Ragnar Johnson and Jessica Mayer. These songs originate from the city of Sanaa, the sheikdom of Lahej and the port of Aden. These songs originate from the city of Sanaa, the sheikdom of Lahej and the port of Aden. Samar is the delicious, luxury time when people gather for relaxation, refreshment, and music. This record contains oudh playing, percussion, and singing from Yemen. The three Kawkabani brothers sing traditional poems and play oudh (lute), double drums, tambourine, and, occasionally, the kanoun (zither). They were recorded in Sanaa in 1973. The oudh player Hassan al Zabeede and his double drum playing brother sing songs in the Lahej style and were recorded in Taez in 1973. File under: Le Coeur du Monde. Features the Kawkabani Brothers (Mohamed Al, Abdel Wahab Al, and Saad Al), Hassan Al Zabeede (also credited as Hassan Al Zbeede and Hassan Zubeede), and Saad Al Kawkabani. Double-CD version comes in a digipack and includes a six-page booklet.2 CD Set $18

ANDREW LILES - The Flesh Creeping Gonzoid: Speciality Offal & Other Choice Cuts (Dirter Promotions 128; UK) Sister collection to The Flesh Creeping Gonzoid & Other Imaginary Creatures (DPROM 086CD, 2011). Studio out-takes, deleted obscurities, compilation appearances, and vinyl and download releases. The DVD included is an extended version of the very limited DVDR of Life Is An Empty Place. All discs are over 75 minutes in length and feature a wealth of previously unreleased material. The discs are housed in individual card sleeves; Includes a four-page insert with the track-listing; Edition of 500. N.B: DVD will not play in US or Japan - it is Region 2.6 CD/DVD Box Set $45

SONIDO GALLO NEGRO - Mambo Cosmico (Glitterbeat 056; Germany) Hailing from Mexico City, Sonido Gallo Negro's exhilarating third album, Mambo Cósmico, continues their exploration into the psychedelic richness and rhythmic pulse of Amazonian cumbia while at the same reaching for new sounds and textures -- such as mambo, cha cha, porro and danzon. Filled with frenetic, red-hot identities, and sonorities, Mambo Cósmico galvanizes the international reputation Sonido Gallo Negro has earned through their powerful concerts and their earlier records -- Cumbia Salvaje (2011) and Sendero Místico (GB 015CD/LP, 2014). Mambo Cósmico is a sonic collage that is not only musical, but also cultural and historical. This combo of nine musicians, seek out a new and unexpected musical cosmos that goes beyond their well-honed Mexican and Latin American influences. Their navigational charts point towards an additional synchronicity of sound and imagination with the Middle East, the Hispanic old world, and Africa, as embedded within the Americas. Of the eleven tracks included on Mambo Cósmico, nine are group originals, "Tolú" by Lucho Bermúdez and "¿Quién Será?" by Pablo Beltrán Ruiz being the only cover versions. Also, for the first time some of these pieces include vocals and group choruses. Sonido Gallo Negro is: Edwin Irigoyen - congas; Truc Casasola - timbales, bass drum, snare; Gabriel López - lead guitar and Farfisa organ; Israel Martinez - bass; Lucio de los Santos - flute and bongos; Julian Sampler - sampler and organ; Jorge Alderete - theremin and visuals; Roberto Vargas - güiro and percussion.CD $16

JOHN SINCLAIR - Beatnik Youth (Iron Man Records 6032; UK) Detroit's iconic "White Panther" introduces himself as "a beatnik, dope fiend, poet provocateur, race traitor and renegade. Living from hand to mouth and euro to euro, sleeping on the couches and extra beds of my friends. A man without a country and a post office box in New Orleans for a permanent address." Reciting his beat poetry in a sub-baritone growl, John Sinclair waxes lyrical about John Lennon, Thelonious Monk, Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs, and issues a libertarian's charter on "Ain't Nobody's Business". 13 songs produced by Youth, ranging from raucous rock 'n' roll to psychedelic jazz and abstract soundscapes. Throughout, Sinclair's voice functions as an anchor, taking on an American social landscape bursting with civil unrest and self-reinvention as Youth's modernist production swirls around him. Immortalized by John Lennon's 1972 song that bears his name, Sinclair is an iconic figure of '60s counterculture, famous for, among other things, having co-founded the White Panther Party and for managing Detroit's legendary leftist proto-punk outfit MC5.2 CD Set $18

MIKE COOPER - Metal Box (Rossbin 020; Italy) “Recorded 2004 at The Steelworks in Rome apart from 'Standard De-Lux' which was recorded, reconstructed and mixed by Robin Schmidt in 2003 in Melbourne.This record is dedicated to the memory of John Fahey. For the past 40 has been an international musical explorer, performing and recording, solo and in a number of inspired groupings and a variety of genres. Initially a folk-blues guitarist and singer songwriter his work has diversified to include improvised and electronic music, live music for silent films, radio art and sound installations. He is also a music journalist, writing features for magazines, particularly on Pacific music and musicians, a visual artist, film and video maker, collector of Hawaiian shirts and appears on more than 60 records to date.”CD $16 (last few sealed copies)

Vinyl/Record Album & 7” Section:

FELA RANSOME-KUTI & HIS HIGHLIFE RAKERS - Fela's Special (Soundway 060X; UK) This single is of the two first ever recordings by Fela Ransome Kuti with his band The Highlife Rakers. Recorded by Melodisc in London in 1960 both tracks have been unearthed after more than fifty years in hiding. This 7" was originally released as a bonus to Soundway's vinyl edition of the compilation Highlife On The Move - Selected Nigerian & Ghanaian Recordings From London & Lagos - 1954-66, but due to an accidental over-pressing the label made a small number of these 45s available for sale individually. Released in 2017.7” Single $13

DEKE TOM DOLLARD - Na You (Hot Casa 054; France) Mind-blowing Afro soul music from Ivory Coast, served up by Deke Tom Dollard, an obscure artist who only recorded two albums in 1979 and 1981, but also created an original funky fusion with the Bété language. A selection of four amazing tracks recorded in Abidjan on two different records label called War Records and As Records. The music here is a mixture of funk with heavy basslines, traditional percussions, funky guitar riffs, nice horns section, and lyrics in Beté. The song "Demonde" is inspired by harmonies of the famous "Dance To The Drummer Beat" by Herman Kelly. Those two rare records were found by Afrobrazilero, aka Djamel Hammadi, and never appeared on the vinyl market. It's almost impossible to get information about this singer and composer, or the musicians involved in the recording sessions. Most of the recording sessions were lost by the labels Hot Casa licensed the tracks with here. Unique! A must have for all the Afro funk lovers. Remastered by The Carvery.LP $26

UNEVEN PATHS With STEVE BERESFORD / BILL NELSON / TONY HYMAS / HARTE 10 / et al - Deviant Pop From Europe 1980-1991 (Music from Memory MFM 031; Netherlands) This is the second multiple artist compilation on Music From Memory. It's compiled by record connoisseur Raphael Top-Secret and label man Jamie Tiller. The compilation brings together twenty-one tracks from across the continent; exploring the more unusual and unexpected sides of pop music produced during that period. Drawing material from cult experimental artists such as Steve Beresford, Brenda Ray, and Bill Nelson alongside one-off independent musical projects rescued from the fringes, Uneven Paths focuses on a selection of tracks that go beyond the confines of mainstream pop music but which also transcend expectations of much of the "experimental" music of the time. This is music with one foot in the avant-garde and another foot firmly rooted within the sensibilities of pop; where jazz musicians detour into synth-pop, punk bands break into boogie jams, and student doctors jam out on odd melodies with synthesizers and drum machines during their night shifts. Features Nightfall In Camp, Stroer Duo Howard Fine, Tony Hymas, Violet Eves, Miko & Mubare, Piscine Et Charles, John Makin & Friends, Nonobstant, Wolfgang Klingler, Thomas Heimes, Hans-Christian Mittag, Sound On Sound, Pete Brandt's Method, Lost Gringos, Vanakos, Brenda And The Beachballs, Patrick Forgas, Xavier Jouvelet, Lou Blic, Steve Beresford, Bill Nelson's Orchestra Arcana, Harte 10, and Monica Rypma.2 LP Set $37

THE (NEW) STONE is located in The New School’s Glass Box Theatre 55 West 13th street - near 6th aveAll Sets at The New Stone start at 8:30pm Tickets: $20There are no refreshments or merchandise at The Stone. Only music. All ages are welcome.Cash Only at the door. There is no phone. There is no food or beverage served or allowed just a serious listening environment.The Stone is booked purely on a curatorial basis

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The CORNELIA STREET CAFE - 212-989-931929 Cornelia St in the heart of the West Greenwich Village, NYC

I-Beam is located at 168 7th Street in Brooklyn, NY 11215 - Directions: SUBWAY: Take the F or R trains to 4th Ave & 9th Street. Walk down 4th ave to 7th street. Make a left on 7th and walk past 3rd ave. We are located on the ground floor, the grey doors to the right of the stairs of #168.

OVERISHINS is Mick Barr (Krallice) on guitar, Chuck Bettis (Die Trommel Fatale, Snake Union) on electronics throat, Johnny DeBlase (Many Arms, Zevious) on bass,and Mike Pride (Locksmith Isodore, From Bacteria To Boys) on drums. Although this super group is fairly new, the circles they have run in have been tight, allowing them to share groups and stages with each other over the years. This as well as their deep rooted histories in hardcore punk, extreme metal, and avant garde jazz circles allow them to synthesize a new music which defies easy categorizations. Live performances have been extremely rare, catch them when you can!

DunkelpeK is Japanese born percussionist Nava Dunkelman and Canadian American guitarist Jakob Pek. This iconoclastic duo creates an experimental, improvised music for the new century. Visceral, organic, and spontaneous in nature, DunkelpeK’s sound transfigures and hybridizes many musics, offering listeners a holistic exploration into the very essence of musical experience.